Phenomenal - Rafa's 8th Barcelona title to add to his 8 MC. Almagro started off strong but I was never worried - we've seen so many times how Rafa starts slow and reels his opponent in. He played some great tennis in the end and was within himself in the second set.

(Original post by Sirocco11)
That Fognini in the towel? The exhibitionist :P

Phenomenal - Rafa's 8th Barcelona title to add to his 8 MC. Almagro started off strong but I was never worried - we've seen so many times how Rafa starts slow and reels his opponent in. He played some great tennis in the end and was within himself in the second set.

Yes and due to ferrers early loss in barcelona he lost some points as he was the runner up last year and there is still some hope of rafa just sneaking into the world no.4 position only if he wins madrid

Barcelona final was nice, slow start from Rafa but he settled in soon after he went down that double break, liked the outcome, an 8th title there! (although Rafa defintely played better in the semi against Raonic.) I'm not positive at all about Madrid, i'm setting my expectations low

Not sure if i'll do the draw challenge for Madrid, I flopped majorly with Monte Carlo, I still haven't gone back to check my final showing lol. The draw will be done on Friday.

(Original post by Natty.B)
Barcelona final was nice, slow start from Rafa but he settled in soon after he went down that double break, liked the outcome, an 8th title there! (although Rafa defintely played better in the semi against Raonic.) I'm not positive at all about Madrid, i'm setting my expectations low

Not sure if i'll do the draw challenge for Madrid, I flopped majorly with Monte Carlo, I still haven't gone back to check my final showing lol. The draw will be done on Friday.

Your scared about Madrid am scared about RG after nadals loss in monte carlo, If he faces djokovic again on clay mostly likely he will lose, since IW hes not even playing really good tennis.I want to know why?

(Original post by ubi1)
Your scared about Madrid am scared about RG after nadals loss in monte carlo, If he faces djokovic again on clay mostly likely he will lose, since IW hes not even playing really good tennis.I want to know why?

(Original post by ubi1)
Your scared about Madrid am scared about RG after nadals loss in monte carlo, If he faces djokovic again on clay mostly likely he will lose, since IW hes not even playing really good tennis.I want to know why?

Like Prendah explained, he has only been playing tennis for like 2 full months after being off the tour for 7, he still isn't close to his previous level, he needs more time, more matches.

I'll worry about RG when RG starts, as for now there are two Clay masters coming up, his form may improve, it may not, he might get beaten by Djokovic also, he may not. We shall see.

And as for wondering why his level has "dropped" since IW, please go and read some of his press conferences from Monte Carlo, that will answer all of your questions.

Also his level wasn't actually that high at Indian Wells. He got a draw full of players who his playstyle naturally functions well against, and then a tired Del Potro in the final. Much like Murray at Miami, it was a win in spite the level of play not because of it.

(Original post by TopHat)
Also his level wasn't actually that high at Indian Wells. He got a draw full of players who his playstyle naturally functions well against, and then a tired Del Potro in the final. Much like Murray at Miami, it was a win in spite the level of play not because of it.

I agree, had Del Potro lost to Djokovic, it's fairly obvious who would be the Indian Wells winner right now.